What's happening in the David Mary Custom shop?

David Mary said:
Now I'm sitting here redesigning my wakizashi for a future run. I like the current version, but it's kinda small. Not a bad thing, they are nimble and slicey, and so far the guys who own one have told me the love them! I know the current one I'm working on looks like it's chopping well, and it is - for its size. It will never go through 2x4s as fast as a taller bladed dedicated chopper though.

So I am wondering, the guys who are interested in a wakizashi when I make new ones, would you be willing to have to source your own sheaths if I made something with a blade longer than 18"? Because a 23" long, slightly taller bladed wakizashi with my geometry will even hang with the dedicated choppers. Still get out performed by them because it's still a sword and not a chopper, but not embarrassingly so.

Like the wakizashi I'm working on now will cut those 2x4s in half. But probably take three times as long to do it as the Barax would, and even it is not a "heavy" chopper per se. But a big wakizashi would out chop the Barax.

Don't mind me. I've been sitting in front of the CAD program playing the "balance of compromises" game for hours. Maybe my current 18" blade design is what you want, and I've been "wak"ing my braing into the wee hours for nothing? 🤣

Also, I am thinking of going back to how I did runs in the past, i.e. where I will grab a single sheet at a time, and parcel out spots on the sheet for customs. I liked doing that. It was a lot more tetris like (which is fun for me!) and it gave more of you opportunities to get your own designs made (which is fun for me and you!).

After the Sparkling Smile and variants. NJSB sheets are 48" x 15", so I would be able to get a large number of blades onto it. The other benefit is that if there is a consensus on what steel to force me out of my comfort zone on, it would be a lot harder to say no if, for example, 15 guys said "He we want 'Cru'Wear David", as opposed to one or two guys saying "Hey will you ever offer 'Cru'Wear?".

2025 has been the year of massive speculation, and moving a lot of my favorite models, having a few left to do as I please with, but also ending up with a bunch of steel that I have seen zero demand for so far, though I am sure I can eventually turn it around. I'm looking at you, ulus and leatherworking knives! And to think I cut a lot of designs out of the 2025 run in a bid to be "responsible". So I intend to tighten up the production planning for next year so I can maximize my turnaround of steel the comes in to the shop. I doubt I'd have a problem moving a 6+" Chinese style cleaver though.

View attachment 2948370


For now, though, anyone want to order a dozen each of ulus and leatherworking knives? 🤣
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It sounds like this would make the wakizashi a bit stouter, yes, I’m interested. For me, I think around 20 inches long would be good with a full length, two handed tang.

I need to crush stuff like 2 liter cokes, melons, my Thanksgiving turkey, and zombies….lots of zombies.
 
oldmanwilly said:
Based on David's description, this is what I picture in my mind:

*watch to the 13 second mark and note the width of the blade compared to the other swords used*

I think such a sword would be real nice.
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Yup, that’ll work for me.

Gotta get that Sparkling smile done some we can move on to the Wakizashi.
 
zaedion said:
At what point would you decide to make a full Katana
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If you mean "full" as in "with all the characteristics of a traditional katana", then anywhere from quite a while to never. I don't have the knowledge, experience, or skills to create one, and it's not a priority for me to get those things.

If you mean "full" as in "a sword with the full sized dimensions of a traditional katana, though not necessarily according to the traditional construction", then that's more plausible.

zaedion said:
just for kicks?
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Almost certainly never. The point at which someone says "David please make me this and I will pay you for the time and materials to do so" is the point it will happen.
 
#2 - a unique David Mary styled katana-like object inspired by a full size dimension and shape of a traditional katana.

Honestly though, a 23-26" blade waki-chete is probably has more practical use and not scare the neighbors away. oldmanwilly oldmanwilly YES! To full chopper mode!!

David Mary said:
Almost certainly never. The point at which someone says "David please make me this and I will pay you for the time and materials to do so" is the point it will happen.
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Thank you for sharing the magic word / phrase that could make something like this happen! 🤣🙏
 
Talked at length to Saul from New Jersey steel Baron today about the Sparkling Smile run, as well as my plan to buy a full sheet at a time for future runs.

We discussed means by which I can optimize CAD files to minimize engagement required on their end, as well as reduce extra work I have to do on blanks to prep them for assembly. It was a very productive talk and I anticipate future runs to turn around faster than ever before as a result.

Then hogged a lot of steel at the shop today. Assembled two more knives which I will introduce tomorrow. Two new members of the Mustelid series, with blade shapes designed by our very own RokJok RokJok .

Solid day.
 
argyle1812 said:
dimensions on the mink scout?
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Scout info: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/mustelid-scout-series-aeb-l-and-magnacut.2018486/

SharpBits said:
I feel like I fell asleep in class. What is that blue handled one above the sword?
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David Mary

Pre Order Thread '2.5" Necker Universal AEB-L and MagnaCut'

I'm going to open a small window of opportunity to get signed up for one of these. If you want one, shoot me a DM and we can discuss the details. DO NOT post your email in the thread. I'm requiring a 30% up front deposit on these. That helps with some of the overhead, such as the steel and waterjet service from New Jersey Steel Baron, heat treatment from Peters Heat Treating, consumables from Red Label Abrasives, shipping, and importation fees, etc. Remaining balance will be due upon completion, which should be expected to be at least six months out. All payments will by via PayPal...
 
David Mary said:
Scout info: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/mustelid-scout-series-aeb-l-and-magnacut.2018486/



David Mary

Pre Order Thread '2.5" Necker Universal AEB-L and MagnaCut'

I'm going to open a small window of opportunity to get signed up for one of these. If you want one, shoot me a DM and we can discuss the details. DO NOT post your email in the thread. I'm requiring a 30% up front deposit on these. That helps with some of the overhead, such as the steel and waterjet service from New Jersey Steel Baron, heat treatment from Peters Heat Treating, consumables from Red Label Abrasives, shipping, and importation fees, etc. Remaining balance will be due upon completion, which should be expected to be at least six months out. All payments will by via PayPal...
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Thank you. Love that blade shape.
 
David Mary said:
Scout info: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/mustelid-scout-series-aeb-l-and-magnacut.2018486/



David Mary

Pre Order Thread '2.5" Necker Universal AEB-L and MagnaCut'

I'm going to open a small window of opportunity to get signed up for one of these. If you want one, shoot me a DM and we can discuss the details. DO NOT post your email in the thread. I'm requiring a 30% up front deposit on these. That helps with some of the overhead, such as the steel and waterjet service from New Jersey Steel Baron, heat treatment from Peters Heat Treating, consumables from Red Label Abrasives, shipping, and importation fees, etc. Remaining balance will be due upon completion, which should be expected to be at least six months out. All payments will by via PayPal...
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That blue one definitely looks good 😊
 
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